My Punny Valentine: 40+ Punny Valentines Gift Ideas with FREE Printable Gift Tags!

If you've been reading Southern In-Law for a while, you would have realised that I'm a bit* of a dork - and obviously that means I LOVE puns too!

So when I decided to come up with an easy budget friendly Valentine's gift idea, I knew exactly what I needed to create.....

The Ultimate Punny Valentines Gift Ideas list. 

*Understatement of the century.

And that's exactly what I've put together.

40+ Punny Valentines Gift Ideas on a budget, free Valentines Printable Gift Tags and there's plenty of gift ideas for everyone in your life - from candy focused gifts to non-food valentines gift and small gift ideas for friends and everyone in-between. 

So let's get onto the fun, shall we?!

DIY: How to Create a Gorgeous Christmas Table

You're nearing the end of your Advent Calendar, the Christmas Tree is up, the lights are on, the Christmas Cookies are baked and gifted and the Christmas Presents are wrapped - now it's time to start thinking about your Christmas Table! 

As a family who love Christmas, the Christmas table is very important and now that Katrina and I are older, each year we spend quite a bit of time thinking up a theme and how we're going to style it. 

This year, keeping with our red, while and silver theme you saw on our tree and presents - we decided to do the same with our Christmas table!

So let me share our tips with you and show you our table! >>

DIY Christmas Advent Calendar! [PLUS Christmas Activity Ideas!]

Christmas is fast approaching and we are getting seriously excited. When I was a kid, this is the time of year when I started begging my Mum for one of those chocolate advent calendars. 

I'd anxiously wait until December 1st and open that little window to reveal my sweet chocolate treat.... But the truth is, by about December 6th I'd realise that the chocolate inside actually wasn't that great and the advent calendar totally wasn't worth all of my anticipation.

That's why we now create our own anticipation-worthy advent calendars!

I wanted to show your how to create your own advent calendar, filled with Christmas activities and delicious treats that will have your family anxiously awaiting each new day - so let me show you 

How to Make your Own Easy to Make DIY Advent Calendar >>

SIL Sisters in Christ: Forgiveness

Read Past Posts: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8

This week's scripture: John 8

In the beginning of John 8, Jesus teaches us one very big lesson. 

We can't judge others unless we are pure and blameless.

We can't judge anyone for their sins and wrongdoings because we fall short time and time again.

Jesus tells the men; "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her". 

But Jesus doesn't condemn the woman either - He forgives her, just like He forgives us - and He tells her to go and leave her life of sin. 

Jesus extends His forgiveness to us and there is a huge lesson to be learnt from Christ's attitude towards us. We too should forgive and accept others. 

SIL Sisters in Christ: Constant Refreshment from The Living Water

Read Past Posts: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7

This week's scripture: John 7

Throughout John, we see the pattern of attitudes people went through with Jesus that we still see every single day today. In the early chapters of John, we see men and women respond to Jesus with belief - but then some followers turn away. Chaos and fighting breaks out between Jesus and His enemies - but many still seek the truth. 

The many, many different attitudes to Jesus aren't new - they were around then and they're still around now. 

Original believers were mocked and ridiculed the same way many Christians experience today. The people were divided because of Jesus then - and they still are today. 

For a Christian, that can cause a whole lot of heartache. You know Jesus and His love for you - but the world around you doesn't - and it's especially hard when it's your immediate "world"... your family, your friends, your partner. 

We all face spiritual opposition in our lives at some time and it can really wear you down. You feel hurt, upset, lost, unsure - but that's okay. 

Why? Because Jesus tells us in John 7:37-38; 

Jesus gives us constant spiritual refreshment whenever we need it.

He is there waiting for us when we need a pick me up - and ready and waiting when we feel like our world is falling apart because He knows just how to fix us. 

That "living water" Jesus is talking about is the Holy Spirit. 

It's the Holy Spirit which flows through us and out of us, that blesses us and that allows us to bring His life and light to the world. 

Jesus doesn't just leave us on our own when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour - He walks with us, constantly renewing us and refreshing us.

Just as we need physical water to sustain our physical lives, we need that constant refreshment of the living water to sustain our eternal lives. 

Whenever you feel lost, alone, confused, misunderstood, insulted, accused, mad, unsure - whatever - Jesus is there, waiting to give you a drink and refresh you once again.

Just as He told the Samaritan woman - all you have to do is ask!

_____________________________

This week's inspiration downloads:

Click on the link to download the image :)

 Instagram | iPhone 4 & Android Screensaver | iPhone 5 Screensaver

_____________________________

Sign up here ready for this week's study guide!

SIL Sisters in Christ: Jesus is the Bread of Life

Read Past Posts: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

This week's scripture: John 6

I don't think you realise just how many hours we spend eating.... 

A quick google search told me that the average person spends around 35,000 hours eating in their lifetime. 

We eat, then just a few hours layer we're hungry again - but in John 6 Jesus offers us food that will satisfy our hunger forever. 

It's not the latest diet fad and you can't find it in a grocery store - it is only found in Jesus. 

SIL Sisters in Christ: The Big Decision

Read Past Posts: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5

This week's scripture: John 5

If you look at John 5 in my bible you'll notice that there are few white spaces and lots of highlighted verses. That's because there is is much in this chapter that we need to let sink in - but there is one HUGE thing that I won't to focus on in today's study.... 

DIY Halloween Treat Bags [Includes FREE Templates!]

I love holidays because they're the perfect opportunity to work on fun craft projects! With Halloween fast approaching, I decided to put together a super simple (but super cute!) Halloween Craft Project to share with you all!

Every year on Halloween we have loaaads of little trick or treaters arrive at our house with their pumpkin buckets or paper bags ready to load up with treats - but this year I decided the old loot bag needed a bit of a face lift. Everyone spends so much time on their costumes - so why not have a super awesome bag to match!

These Halloween Treat Bags also make the perfect gift bags or party favours as you can fill them with whatever you fancy - and I'm giving you all of the templates for freeeee! How's that for a Halloween treat?! 

But let me show you how we made these treat bags; 

SIL Sisters In Christ: The Woman At The Well

Read Past Posts: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

This week's scripture: John 4

We live in a world that has so many differences. Ethnicity, religion, wealth, ability, employment, hobbies, size, opinion - you name it, we're all different. But how should we treat those who are different to us? 

One incredibly important thing we are told to do from the Bible is to love everyone - but at times, that request came seem like the hardest thing in the world. Here in John 4, Jesus shows us exactly how we should be treating those people who are different to us...

SIL Sisters in Christ: A Fresh Start

Read Past Posts: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3

This week's scripture: John 3

A fresh start. 

A new page. 

Turning over a new leaf.

Starting over. 

In John 3, Jesus teaches us that every person must have a fresh beginning - and funnily enough, it's something we all dream of whether we read the Bible or not. Isn't that what New Year's Resolutions are all about? Turning over that new leaf and starting a-fresh.

In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus; 

"No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again"

But unlike our New Year's Resolutions that are often fleeting as they rely on our own strength and determination - Jesus gives us a path to that new beginning. 

Jesus paved the way to God. 

SIL Sisters In Christ: Jesus 101 - The Word Became Flesh

Read Past Posts: Week 1

Hey! I am so excited for today because we're starting our first real week of Jesus 101! Last week I gave you a little bit of an Introduction to the Gospel of John and talked about what we'll be doing in this series on the blog and in the SIL Sisters in Christ Email Bible Study Group, however, today we're jumping straight into John 1!

So let's get started! >> 

SIL Sister's In Christ: Jesus 101 - An Introduction to John

 Hey, sister! It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for my favourite series; Southern In-Law Sisters In Christ! 

Last week, we finished up our five week series on How to Be a Godly Woman - and this week, we're jumping straight into a brand new series, Jesus 101. There is also something new happening for us sisters that I am very excited about!

SIL Sisters in Christ: What Does It Mean To Be a Godly Woman? Week Five

 Catch up on previous posts: Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four 

Ladies, can you believe we're on the last week of this series already?!?! I can't! I've really enjoyed hearing what you've thought each week -whether you've left a comment on the blog or our facebook or instagram page, sent me an email or sent me a photo of your inspiration verse screensaver - and I know there are quite a few women out there who have really felt encouraged by what they've read or have decided they really needed to let The Lord back into their lives and I am absolutely overwhelmed with happiness.

This SIL Sister's in Christ series will definitely be continuing and I'm deciding on what we should look at next so if you have anything you'd like to see, let me know!

But let's finish this series in style - this week we're looking at how we can serve The Lord - but it's not all about being a part of a ministry or knocking door to door - there's a different approach you should be taking, so let's have a look at what how we can truly serve The Lord!

SIL Sisters in Christ: What Does It Mean To Be a Godly Woman? Week Four

Catch up on previous posts: Week One | Week Two | Week Three

All women want to feel beautiful - it's a given. We'll stand at the mirror and pick ourselves to pieces, we'll desperately wish that certain someone would say how gorgeous the outfit we spent the last week thinking about looks, we'll work on this bit or that bit we hate so that we can finally feel "beautiful"...

But The Bible speaks of beauty in a different way... 

SIL Sisters in Christ: What Does it Mean to Be a Godly Woman? Week Two!

- See Week One Here - 

Well hey there, beautiful lady! Yes, you! I'm glad you've stopped to read this post today because it's fulllllllllllllll of goodness. 

Last week I launched a new series on the blog, Southern In-Law Sisters in Christ and it seems like those of you who read the post loved it! I've loved getting emails of computer screens and phones around the world with last week's inspiration verse and I've loved reading your comments and emails (but all of you ladies who emailed me - don't be too shy to comment as it's an incredible opportunity to talk with other women like you!). 

This week we're still looking at What it Means to Be a Godly Woman and we're focusing on what it means to speak faithfully. 

So why don't you join us? There's even some pretty printables and downloads for you at the end of the post! >>

SIL Sisters in Christ: What Does It Mean To Be a Godly Woman? Week One

As you may already know, I love Jesus. I'm a young Christian woman who is so passionate about her faith - and so passionate about serving The Lord. 

I've had some people email me about my faith and say But you're not a bible basher?! and that would be true - because God tells me to love all people - not beat them with His word. This series isn't about bible bashing - it's about coming together and celebrating women - the bonds we share, how unique we are, what we're going through in life - and of course our faith as well. 

I'm calling this little series SIL Sister's in Christ and it's going to be a weekly post series where we'll talk about different scriptures, how we can put them into practice in our lives and pray for one another. Think of it like an online version of Women's Ministry. 

But why did I want to start this? Because I have so many emails from readers who want to know more about Jesus - from readers asking me about the ministries I'm involved with and the church I attend to readers who just want someone to share their faith with as they live in a country that doesn't allow them to be free to do so or because their family and friends don't agree with their faith. 

I found my first "Sisters in Christ" through the blog and I want you to be able to have that too. It is an incredible feeling to know that you're supported by other women - and whilst I might not be able to meet with you in person to give you a hug or pray with you, I want you to know that each and every week we can come together (with hopefully lots of other women) and talk about God!

Each week, on a Wednesday Morning, I'll share our Sisters in Christ post for the week. It will probably change from time to time, but my goal is to; 

• Talk about God! Of course! We'll read through scriptures together, take a look at what they really mean and how we can apply them to our lives and prayers.
• Share an Inspiration Verse for the Week + FREE Printables/Screensavers
  Something I've been doing for a longggggg time is updating my phone screen savers to a verse for the week ahead. I've never shared these screen savers, however, when I've talked to some friends from church about this they were super keen to do the same.
  
  Each week, I'll be sharing our inspiration verse for the week and you'll be able to download it for your computer/iPhone/iPad/Android phone/photo frame - wherever you feel like putting it, you can (and if I haven't got it in a certain format, make sure you tell me!)
• Asking you for your input/thoughts/ideas
  This isn't about me, guys - it's about us. This isn't going to work very well unless you jump on the bandwagon too, so join us! Whether it's a comment, message or email or a post on your blog so that you can share your thoughts with your readers - the choice is yours!

I'm excited, so let's get started! >>